View source for Honolulu Fire Department

{{Short description|Fire department in Honolulu, Hawaii}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Notability|Org|date=October 2021}}
{{Primary sources|date=October 2021}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox fire department
| name                   =Honolulu Fire Department 
| native_name            =
| logo                   = HonoluluFireDepartmentLogo.jpg
| logo_alt               =
| logo_size              =
| motto                  ="Pride, Service, Dedication"
<!-- Operational Area -->
| country                ={{USA}}
| subdivision_type1      = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1      = {{flag|Hawaii}}
| subdivision_type2      = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2      = {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Honolulu,_Hawaii.svg}} [[Honolulu County, Hawaii|Honolulu]]
<!-- Agency Overview -->
| reference1             =<ref name=about>{{cite web|title=About HFD|url=http://www.honolulu.gov/hfd/abouthfd.html|website=Honolulu Fire Department|accessdate=7 February 2015|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714201746/http://www.honolulu.gov/hfd/abouthfd.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| established            =December 27, 1850
| annual calls           =
| annual budget          = 
| employees              =1,100
| staffing               =Career
| chief                  =Sheldon K. Hao
| iaff                   =1463
<!-- Facilities & Equipment history -->
| reference2             =<ref name=about/>
| battalions             =5
| stations               =44
| engines                =43
| trucks                 =
| tillers                =8
| platforms           =2
| quints                 =6
| squads                 =
| rescues                =2
| bulldozers             =
| wildfire engines       =
| helicopters            =4
| fireboats              =
| ambulances             =
| tenders                =1
| hazmat                 =2
| FirstResponderBLSorALS =
| usar                   =
| crash                  =
| airplanes              =
<!-- Footer -->
| website                ={{url|https://fire.honolulu.gov/|Official website}}
| iaffweb                ={{url|http://www.hawaiifirefighters.org/|IAFF Website}}
}}
The '''Honolulu Fire Department''' ('''HFD''') provides [[fire protection]] and first responder [[emergency medical services]] to the [[Honolulu County, Hawaii|City & County of Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]], United States, under the jurisdiction of the [[Mayor of Honolulu]]. Founded on December 27, 1850, by [[Kamehameha III]] and [[Alexander Cartwright]], the Honolulu Fire Department serves and protects the entire island of [[Oahu|O'ahu]], covering over {{convert|600|sqmi}} of territory, home to more than 880,000 residents and over 4 million annual visitors.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Honolulu|url=http://www.honolulu.gov/|website=City & County of Honolulu|accessdate=22 February 2015|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405065807/http://www.honolulu.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The HFD is one of just a handful of fire departments in the nation that is Nationally accredited.<ref>Yamamoto, Glenn, Dan Boylan, Ken Silva, and Atilio Leonardi. ''[HFD Fire Chief]''. 2005.</ref>   The [http://www.cpse.org/agency-accreditation/cfai-commissioners.aspx Commission on Fire Accreditation International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510112620/http://www.cpse.org/agency-accreditation/cfai-commissioners.aspx |date=May 10, 2017 }} (CFAI) confers Accredited Agency status for a period of five years.

== History ==
In the early 1800s, with an influx of missionaries, whalers, and businessmen to Hawai'i, Honolulu grew rapidly with western-style wooden buildings, which were highly combustible.  Interior lighting in that period consisted of all flame-emitting equipment (candles, lamps, and lanterns); therefore fires became common in homes and businesses.<ref name=":2">Honolulu (Hawaii). ''Honolulu Fire Department: Pride, Service, Dedication : 150 Years of Service''. [Honolulu]: [Honolulu Fire Dept.], 2001.</ref>  On October 24, 1850, a public assembly raised the concern of the people to have adequate fire protection; and an outcome of this meeting was the formation of Honolulu's first '''Volunteer Fire Brigade''', on November 6, 1850.<ref name=":0">Smith, H. A. ''History of the Honolulu Fire Dept''. Honolulu: [Fire Dept.], 1950.</ref>  The HFD holds the distinction of being the first fire department in all of the [[Hawaiian Islands]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Firefighting in the U.S.|url=http://onlinefiresciencedegree.org/noteworthy-fire-departments/|website=Fire Science|accessdate=7 February 2015|archive-date=February 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222092227/http://onlinefiresciencedegree.org/noteworthy-fire-departments/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:HFD Accountant book.jpg|left|thumb|1892-1893 HFD Accountant book, which recorded the date that HFD became a paid fire department, March 1, 1893.]]

=== Establishment of the HFD   ===
On December 27, 1850, an ordinance issued by [[Kamehameha III]] established the Honolulu Fire Department.<ref name=":0" /> On February 3, 1851, Oahu Governor Kekuanaoa appointed Alexander Joy Cartwright Jr. to be Chief Engineer of the Fire Department of the City of Honolulu, making him the first Fire Engineer of the newly formed department.<ref name=":1">Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center.  Various Exhibitions: [Fire Dept.], 2016.</ref>   The ordinance was enacted into law by the Hawaiian Legislature of 1851 (S.S. 1851, pp.&nbsp;5-ll), becoming effective on May 8, 1851, after it was signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, William L. Lee, and King Kamehameha.<ref name=":0" />

The HFD is also the only fire department in the United States that was established by the order of the King of a [[Monarchy]]; and the department was continued by a [[Provisional government|Provisional Government]], then a [[Republic]], then a Territory, a County and lastly by a City and County Government.<ref name=":0" />  Honolulu, which was the Capital of the [[Territory of Hawaii]], is believed to be the only fire department in the world that has had kings serve as active members with King Kamehameha III, who reigned during the 1850s and King David Kalakaua, during the 1880s working alongside volunteers.<ref name=":0" />

==== Hawaiian Engine Company No. 4 ====
[[File:HFD museum.jpg|thumb|The Prairie Queen is a mid-nineteenth-century fire apparatus.  It was not actually used by the HFD; it was donated to the department in 1969. But Honolulu firefighters used similar equipment in the 1800s.|left]][[Kalākaua|King Kalākaua]] was a member of Engine Company No. 4, which was originally an all-Hawaiian Company established in 1861.  [[Albert Kamehameha|Prince Albert Kamehameha]], a toddler at the time, admired Company 4 and was made an honorary member.<ref name=":2" />  After his death at the age of five, the entire HFD joined his funeral procession.  When King Kalākaua died in 1891, firefighters draped black fabric on their stations to show their respect for the King.<ref name=":1" />

==== Chinatown Fire of 1886 ====
On April 18, 1886, a fire started in a building at Hotel and Smith streets and destroyed over 60 acres of buildings and involved a loss surpassing $1,453,000.  Buildings had been constructed close together, allowing the fire to quickly spread in all directions.<ref name=":0" />  In response, on April 20, 1886, the Board of Fire Underwriters was formed.  On May 29, 1886, King Kalākaua signed Honolulu's first building laws ([[building code]]s).<ref name=":1" />

==== Chinatown Fire of 1900 ====
In an effort to control the [[bubonic plague]], blocks of buildings were burnt, one at a time.  On April 20, 1900, the block next to Kaumakapili Church was set on fire.  As the flame grew, the wind unexpectedly changed; and the fire spread to the steeple of the church and then began to spread quickly across the city. Firefighters worked hard to control the [[Chinatown, Honolulu#Great Honolulu Chinatown Fire of 1900|fire that swept Chinatown]], burning 38 acres.  The property losses totaled over $3,000,000.<ref name=":1" />[[File:HFD engine1.jpg|thumb|Old Engine No.1, a 1938 Seagrave, has shrapnel damage from the attacks on [[Hickam Air Force Base|Hickham Field]] during the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|bombing of Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941]]

=== Fire Museum ===
The Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center is located in the former historic Kakaʻako Fire Station, built in 1928, and neighbors the HFD headquarters’ building, which was completed in 2006.  The Engine Company occupied Kakaʻako Station on October 1, 1929, and the Ladder Truck Company moved on March 1, 1930. The Shop opened in 1931.<ref name=":1" />   Kaka’ako Fire Station was one of several HFD stations that were nominated to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1980.

The museum shares the history of the HFD as well as the history of fire-fighting apparatus and gear. When the Japanese started [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|bombing Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941, the HFD quickly responded to the crisis.<ref name=":1" /> The first of three responding HFD companies arrived to find [[Hickham Air Force Base|Hickam Field]]'s fire station hit by bombs. Honolulu firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish flames and save as many U.S. planes as possible, but the second wave of Japanese [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Zero]] aircraft approached. Hoseman Harry Tuck Lee Pang was shot and killed; Captains Thomas Macy and John Carreira died in a bomb blast. Six other firefighters were injured. The HFD lists among its members nine men who were awarded the [[Purple Heart|Order of the Purple Heart]], including three dead members who were awarded the medal in 1984. This made the HFD the only [[Firefighting in the United States|fire department on American soil]] whose members were attacked by a foreign nation and were awarded Purple Hearts relating to their duties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-observer-dec-07-1984-p-2/|title=Fayetteville Observer Archives, Dec 7, 1984, p. 2|website=newspaperarchive.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-17|archive-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717153053/https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-observer-dec-07-1984-p-2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> This honor is now only awarded to members of the Armed Forces wounded in battle.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

The Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center is open to the public one Saturday a month for free, guided tours.   [[File:HFD Museum 2ndfloor.jpg|thumb|The second floor of the museum was once the dormitory of the old Kaka’ako firehouse.]]

== Bureaus ==
Under the Fire Commission, Fire Chief, and Deputy Chief, there are three bureaus that support the fire suppression forces (Fire Operations):   
*Administrative Services Bureau
* Planning and Development 
* Support Services

===  Fire Operations Bureau ===
Fire Operations accounts for the majority of the activity in the HFD.  They are responsible for all emergency response for the island of Oahu and respond to fires, emergency medical calls, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, and also perform technical rescues.   [[File:HonoluluFireDept-truck-oct2015.jpg|thumb|Honolulu Fire Department engine, 2015]]

==== Stations & Apparatus ====
[[Image:HFD helicopter.jpg|thumb|175px|right|HFD helicopter in [[Diamond Head, Hawaii|Diamond Head]], 2007]]Below is a complete listing of all Honolulu Fire Department fire station and apparatus locations.


There are 25 single engine companies and some trucks might be KME or Pierce Quantum or Arrow XT 


{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! fire Station Number 
! Neighborhood
! Engine Company
! Ladder Company, Quint Company, or Tower Company 
! Battalion Chief vehicle 
! Specialized Unit or Company
!UTVs
|- 
! 1 
|[[Honolulu|Central]]|| Engine 1 || || Battalion Chief 1 ||
|-
! 2
|Pawaa || Engine 2 || Ladder 2 || ||RRV-2, Rescue 1, SAR Boat 1 / Force 22

|-
! 3
|[[Makiki]] || Engine 3 || || || 
|-
! 4
|Kuakini || Engine 4 || Ladder 4 || || RRV-4
|-
! 5
|[[Kaimuki, Hawaii|Kaimuki]]|| Engine 5 || Ladder 5 || || RRV-5
|-
! 6
|[[Kalihi]]|| Engine 6 || || || 
|-
! 7
|[[Waikiki]]|| Engine 7 || Ladder 7 ||  Battalion Chief 2 ||RRV 7
|-
!8
|Mokulele|| Engine 8 || || ||
|-
!9 
| [[Kakaʻako|Kakaako]]||Engine 9 || Tower 9 || ||RRV 9
|-
! 10
|[[Aiea, Hawaii|Aiea]]|| Engine 10 || || || 
|-
! 11
|[[Sunset Beach (Oahu)|Sunset Beach]]|| Engine 11 || || || 
|-
! 12
|[[Waipahu, Hawaii|Waipahu]]|| Engine 12 || Quint 12 || || Tanker 12, RRV-12 
|-
! 13
|[[Kahuku, Hawaii|Kahuku]]|| Engine 13 || || || 
|-
! 14
|[[Waialua, Hawaii|Waialua]]|| Engine 14 || || ||Brush 14 
|-
! 15
|[[Hauʻula, Hawaii|Hauʻula]]|| Engine 15 || || || Tanker 15
|-
! 16
|[[Wahiawa, Hawaii|Wahiawa]]|| Engine 16 || || || Tanker 16
|-
! 17
|[[Kaneohe, Hawaii|Kaneohe]]|| Engine 17 || Ladder 17 || Battalion Chief 3 || RRV-17
|-
! 18
|[[Kailua, Honolulu County, Hawaii|Kailua]]|| Engine 18 || Ladder 18 || ||RRV-18 
|-
! 19
|Aikahi|| Engine 19 || || ||
|-
! 20
|[[Pearl City, Hawaii|Pearl City]]||  Engine 20 || || || 
|-
! 21
|[[Kaʻaʻawa, Hawaii|Kaʻaʻawa]] ||Engine 21 || || ||
|-
! 22
|[[Manoa]]|| Engine 22 || || || 
|-
! 23
|Wailupe|| Engine 23 || || || 
|-
! 24
|[[ʻEwa Beach, Hawaii|ʻEwa Beach]]|| Engine 24 ||Quint 24||  ||RRV-24
|-
! 25
|[[Nu‘uanu Pali|Nu‘uanu]]|| Engine 25 || || ||
|-
! 26
|[[Waianae, Hawaii|Waianae]]|| Engine 26 || Quint 26 || ||Tanker 26, RRV-26
|-
! 27
|[[Waimānalo, Hawaii|Waimānalo]]|| Engine 27 || || ||Boat 27, Boat 27 |
|-
! 28
|[[Nānākuli, Hawaii|Nānākuli]]|| Engine 28 || || || Tanker 28
|-
! 29
|[[Moiliili, Hawaii|McCully]]-Moiliili|| Engine 29 || Ladder 29 ||||RRV-29
|-
! 30
|[[Moanalua]]|| Engine 30 || Ladder 30 || || RRV-30
|-
! 31
|Kalihi Kai|| Engine 31 || Quint 31 ||  || RRV-31, Rescue 2, SAR Boat 2
|-
!32
| Kalihi Uka|| Engine 32 || || || Haz-Mat. 1
|-
! 33
|[[Palolo, Hawaii|Palolo]]|| Engine 33 || || || 
|-
! 34
|[[Hawaii Kai, Hawaii|Hawaii Kai]]|| Engine 34 || Quint 34 || || RRV-34
|-
! 35
|[[Makakilo, Hawaii|Makakilo]]|| Engine 35 || || || 
|-
! 36
|[[Mililani, Hawaii|Mililani]] || Engine 36 || || || 
|-
! 37
|[[Kahaluu, Hawaii|Kahaluu]] || Engine 37 || || ||
|-
! 38
| Waiau|| Engine 38 || Quint 38 || || RRV-38
|-
! 39
|Olomana|| Engine 39 || || || 
|-
! 40
|[[Kapolei, Hawaii|Kapolei]]|| Engine 40 || Tower 40 || Battalion Chief 4||RRV-40, Tanker-440, Mobile Command Center 1 ||UTV  4
|-
! 41
|[[Mililani Mauka, Hawaii|Mililani Mauka]]|| Engine 41 || || Battalion Chief 5||UTV 5
|
|-
! 42
|[[Waikele, Hawaii|Waikele]]|| Engine 42 || || || Brush 42
|-
! 43
|[[Kapolei, Hawaii|East Kapolei]]|| Engine 43 ||
|  || HazMat 2, Communications Vehicle (CV) 1, Drone 1, RRV-43
|-
!44
|[[ Kalaeloa Airport  ]]|| || || || Air-1, Air-2, Air-3,Air 4 Tender 30
|}

=== Administrative Services Bureau ===
* '''Mechanic Shop''': provides maintenance to fire apparatus, as well as police vehicles.<ref name=":3" />
* '''Safety & Health''': administers health related programs.

=== Planning and Development ===
* '''Fire Communication Center:'''  this is the vital link between the public and fire suppression forces.<ref name=":2" />
* '''Radio Shop''': provides maintenance to radios and communication systems.

=== Support Services   ===
Support Services manages and coordinates the Training and Research Bureau and the Fire Prevention Bureau, which also includes the Community Relations/Education section.

====  Training and Research Bureau  ====
HFD accomplishes its mission largely by maintaining a well-equipped and highly trained, professional workforce of firefighters and rescue personnel.<ref name=":3">Honolulu (Hawaii). ''Honolulu Fire Department 2012 : the heart of HFD is our people/Honolulu Fire Department.'' [Honolulu]: [Honolulu Fire Dept.], 2012.</ref>  The Training and Research Bureau (TRB) conducts training for all phases of firefighting, emergency medical incidents, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, and professional development.  TRB is located at the Charles H. Thurston Training Center in Honolulu.<ref name=":2" />

==== Fire Prevention Bureau ====
The [http://www.honolulu.gov/hfd/firecode.html Fire Prevention Bureau] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618072645/http://www.honolulu.gov/hfd/firecode.html |date=June 18, 2017 }} (FPB) administers the fire prevention program for the City and County of Honolulu, which includes setting policies and procedures in the enforcement of fire codes and conducting fire investigations to determine the origin and cause of fires.<ref name=":3" />  The FPB conducts investigations as mandated by Chapter 132–4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and has several sections:
* '''Administration:''' Issues permits and licenses.
* '''Code Enforcement:''' enforces fire codes and regulations for occupancies within the City and County.
* '''Plans Examining:''' reviews and approves building plans to ensure compliance with building codes and conduct investigations for permits.
* '''Support:''' responsible for testing of building fire protection systems.
* '''Fire Investigation:'''  determines the origin, cause and circumstances of structure fires.
* '''Fire Education:''' develops and implements programs to help minimize injuries and fire losses and to reduce the dangers to first responders.

==== Community Relations ====
Community Relations/Education (CRO) is the liaison between the community and the HFD, and it coordinates ceremonies, funerals, and other events.  CRO develops, coordinates, and administers fire safety and education programs promoting fire prevention and other public safety education programs.  CRO manages the museum and offers fire safety classes.  Class topics range from general fire safety prevention and preparedness tips, use of a fire extinguisher, understanding the common causes of fire, how to prevent fires, and what to do in case of a fire.<ref name=":3" />  CRO also participates in numerous [https://www.honolulu.gov/hfd/communityrelations.html fire safety education community events] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704135322/http://www.honolulu.gov/hfd/communityrelations.html |date=July 4, 2017 }}.

A publication the HFD produces annually is the Fire Fighter's Safety Guide (FFSG).  The FFSG is now going on about 30 years since its first publication and about 100,000 copies are now distributed island wide to all schools.  Students in grades pre-K through 6th grade receive them for free.

== Legal Resources ==
The [http://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/cor/rch/Online_Charter_v02.25.16.pdf '''City Charter'''] of the City and County of Honolulu designates the HFD as the fire protection agency for the city. The HFD's responsibilities are to provide firefighting, rescue, emergency medical, and hazardous materials response for the entire island of Oahu.

The '''State Fire Code''', as adopted by the State of Hawaii on August 15, 2014, pursuant to Chapter 132 of the '''Hawaii Revised Statutes''' (HRS), which adopts with modifications, the 2012 '''[[National Fire Protection Association]]''' (NFPA) 1 Fire Code, published and copyrighted by the NFPA, is amended and titled "'''Fire Code of the City and County of Honolulu'''".<ref>Honolulu (Hawaii). ''Rules & Regulations Governing the Honolulu Fire Department, City and County of Honolulu''. [Honolulu, Hawaii]: The Dept, 1996.</ref>

The following HRS, originating from the '''State Fire Council''', support the establishment of a fire department:  
* '''Fire Protection''' within the State of Hawaii: '''[http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0132/ HRS 132]'''
* '''Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes Law: [http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-200D/HRS0132C/ HRS 132C]'''
* '''Fireworks: [http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-200D/HRS0132D/ HFD 132D]'''

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

=== Island Fire Departments ===
* [http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/fire/ Hawaii Fire Department]
* [http://www.kauai.gov/Fire Kauai Fire Department]
* [http://www.co.maui.hi.us/index.aspx?NID=1460 Maui Fire Department]

=== Federal Fire Service ===
* [http://ffd263.com/index.cfm?Section=1 Federal Fire Fighters of Hawaii] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528144823/http://www.ffd263.com/index.cfm?section=1 |date=May 28, 2017 }}, Local F263

=== Child Safety ===
* [http://www.kipchawaii.org/ Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition]
* [http://www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-hawaii Safe Kids Hawaii]
* [http://www.sparky.org/ Sparky the Fire Dog]

=== Senior Citizens ===
"[https://web.archive.org/web/20141001020836/http://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/older_adults.html Fire Safety for Older Adults]"  (U.S. Fire Administration)

=== Persons with Disabilities ===
"[https://web.archive.org/web/20141009143125/http://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/disabilities.html Fire Safety for People with Disabilities]"  (U.S. Fire Administration)

=== Residential Fire Sprinklers ===
* [https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/hfd/resourcesandlinks_docs/25aaresidentialfiresprinklerad.pdf Get to Know Home Fire Sprinklers]
* [https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/hfd/resourcesandlinks_docs/25asprinklersafetyfastfacts.pdf Fast Fact About Home Fire Sprinklers]

=== Smoke Alarms ===
"[https://archive.today/20200914192716/https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/smoke_alarms.html Smoke Alarms]"  (U.S. Fire Administration)

=== Additional Fire Safety and Disaster Information ===
* [http://www.nfpa.org/ National Fire Protection Association]
* [http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/ U.S. Fire Administration]
* [http://www.pdc.org/iweb/hawaii_emergency_phone.jsp?subg=4 Pacific Disaster Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315014535/http://www.pdc.org/iweb/hawaii_emergency_phone.jsp?subg=4 |date=March 15, 2013 }}

{{Honolulu}}
{{United States fire departments}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fire departments in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Government of Honolulu|Fire Department]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1850]]
[[Category:1850 establishments in Hawaii]]